Three warm August days offered the most normalcy for the Bulldogs in months, even if it was still a little out of the norm.
The Bulldogs completed 3 days of intense skates, skill work, & fitness testing at the Multiplex on Sunday afternoon. Because of the rules and regulations the Bulldogs limited the camp to just 4 teams of 18 skaters. Simply put, it was just nice to be back on the ice hearing the sounds of pucks being fired.
The small numbers allowed head coach and general manager Joe Martin the chance to spend a little more time with each player than what would typically have allowed. “It gave me a chance to spend a little more one on one time with the players, and that’s never a bad thing.” said Martin.
The thing that instantly stood out was the players and their compete level despite the out of the ordinary circumstances. “The ice sessions offered some tremendous intensity” said Martin. “The fitness testing was an eye opener as well, the majority of the players obviously had been preparing for this, it was a hot morning and the group did very well.”
The Bulldogs earlier on Monday announced their first commitment that came from the Summer ID Camp with the addition of Kelowna’s Kobe Assam. The 17-year old Assam spent last year with the OHA Midget Prep Red team where he amassed 35 points in 33 games played. The 6’2″ 185 pound Assam also added 74 penalty minutes. At 17 years of age, Assam is expected to contribute for seasons to come. “Kobe played in 2 games for us as an AP at the end of last year and we challenged him to come in and win a spot this weekend and he did just that.” said Martin.
The Bulldogs organization would like to thank all the players who participated and the families who made the trip to Port Alberni during the weekend. “It was such a strange scene, not having the parents in the building” said club president David Michaud. “Following the protocols made it tough on the families, so we appreciated the patience the had with us. It would have been great to have everyone inside watching closely, but we made the best of it.”
Up next for the Bulldogs will have players begin reporting to Port Alberni over the next couple of weeks and getting settled in before the extended training camp begins on September 14th.
